Capture Every Adventure: The Best Motorcycle Action Cameras

Motorcyclists love to tell stories about their riding adventures, but what’s better than just telling a tale? How many times have you been out riding and done, or seen something incredible and thought ‘I wish I was recording that’? If you’re like me it probably happens at least once on every Rideout, and you’ve thought about purchasing an action camera to strap to your helmet, or bike, in order to capture these moments and share them with your mates.

Beyond spectacular moments, traveling by motorcycle is profoundly enhanced when you capture the significant events of your journey. Whether you’re reliving a fun group ride, showcasing your impressive lean angles on track days, or even documenting your daily commute through the bustling city streets, an action camera allows you to share it all. With the right footage, you can keep your memories alive and impress your fellow riders.

Types of Motorcycle Action Cameras

You’ve got options when it comes to motorcycle cameras. There are various types designed for different usage scenarios. In the world of action cameras, you will encounter:

Helmet Cams: These cameras allow for immersive first-person perspectives and ensure that everything you see during the ride is captured on tape. They are lightweight and easy to mount.
360-Degree Cameras: These capture everything around you. They’re perfect for bikers who want to capture the surrounding landscape while enjoying the thrill of the ride.
Dash Cams: Ideal for commuters, these cameras are mounted on your bike and primarily function to capture your daily rides. They can provide essential evidence in case of mishaps on the road.

No matter your purpose, there is a camera out there perfectly suited for your needs.

Wide angle view of a diverse group of motorcyclists riding on a scenic mountain road — Motorcyclists enjoying a picturesque ride

Why Motorcyclists Are Embracing Action Cameras

As vlogging gains traction, particularly in vibrant biker communities worldwide, motorcycles and action cameras have become synonymous. In countries like India, where the biker movement is flourishing, millennials are keen to document their adventures and share them on social media platforms. This cultural shift highlights how action cameras have evolved into more than just recording devices; they play a pivotal role in the shared experiences and storytelling of the biker community.

Cameras have become an essential accessory for many riders. They not only capture the thrill of the open road but also immortalize those unique moments that would otherwise be dismissed as mere legends.

Tips for Filming Better Motorcycle Videos

To get the best shots while riding, consider the following simple yet effective tips. No matter your riding skill level, you can elevate the quality of your content by implementing these suggestions:

Choose the Right Camera: You don’t always need the priciest camera on the market. Consider something portable, manageable, and weather-resistant to withstand the elements.
Plan Your Videos: Before you ride, outline what you want to achieve with the video. Think about your surroundings, the route, and how you’ll film it. The right lighting and backdrop can enhance your footage significantly.
Understand Frame Rates: A standard frame rate of 24 FPS is good for regular speed, while 60 FPS works for slow motion. If you are looking to create ultra slow-motion effects, aim for 120 FPS or higher, keeping in mind that this may compromise resolution.
Set White Balance to Auto: This ensures that your footage will capture true colors, regardless of lighting conditions. When on the move, letting the camera adjust automatically is usually best.
Utilize Voice Commands: If your camera features voice control, use it! This allows you to start and stop recording without needing to fumble for buttons mid-ride.

Close-up view of a sleek glass action camera mounted on a motorcycle handlebar — Action camera capturing the journey ahead

Be Cautious with 4K Recording: High-definition recording is stunning but can drain battery life faster and require more memory. Be aware of your recording settings, especially on longer rides. Most action cameras come with various settings that can easily be changed and it is worth your while understanding what these actually mean. Here, we look at the three main settings, 720p, 1080p and 4K. 720p and 1080p are high definition video display formats, whereas 4K is known as ultra-high-definition video.
The main difference between 720p and 1080p lies in the number of pixels that make the image. For 720p the number of pixels that make up the image is about one million (equivalent to one megapixel in a digital still camera) and about two million pixels for 1080p.This means that a 1080p image has the potential to display a lot more detail than a 720p image. 4K has over eight million pixels. The higher the setting the more storage space the footage will take up, but the more detail it will contain. Personally, I’m currently not interested in shooting in 4K due to the massive amount of storage space the files take up and the mammoth upload times when sharing finished footage.
Carry Extra SD Cards: One SD card might not be enough for your rides. Always carry a couple of backups to ensure you don’t miss capturing memorable moments.
Maintain Proper Shutter Speed: The next thing to take into account is frames per second (fps). This is a measurement of how many unique consecutive images a camera can handle each second. The current worldwide standard is 24fps for movie theatre film projectors, so the 30fps available on most cameras will suffice for normal filming.
Consider going up to 60fps if you want to film anything in slow motion.
After researching and investigating it became apparent that standard action camera footage is acceptable in 1080p at 30fps. Consider doing additional research to find the ideal shooting mode for you as 1080p at 30fps is just my recommendation for starting out if all you want to do is simply capture footage and share it with others.
The rule is that your shutter speed should generally be double your frame rate. For cruising along at 24 FPS, a shutter speed of 1/60 sec helps avoid excessive motion blur.
Protect Against Water Drops: If you’re riding in questionable weather, apply a water-repellent treatment to your camera lens. This will ensure crystal-clear footage without the interference of raindrops.

Eye-level view of a winding road through a forest — Winding road perfect for a motorcycle adventure

Safety First: Protecting Yourself and Your Equipment

While action cameras can help you document your rides, it’s critical to remember that riding comes with inherent risks. The thrill of capturing your journeys is heightened by the importance of personal safety. That means investing in good biker gear and insurance for your motorcycle.

You can replace a damaged camera, but your safety is priceless! Before you hit the road, make sure you have comprehensive two-wheeler insurance. Not only does this protect you in case of accidents, but it also provides peace of mind so you can focus on having a fantastic time while riding.

The Heart of Capturing the Ride

Improving your filming techniques is just the beginning. The real star of the show is you—the person behind the camera. While optimizing your settings and angles is important, embracing the spirit of adventure is what will truly resonate with viewers. Share your stories, showcase your personality, and don’t forget to enjoy the ride!

You are now equipped with actionable tips and the knowledge to choose the right action camera for your needs. When you combine the right equipment with a passion for riding, you will create content that’s not only entertaining but impactful.